NASA expects National Referees to be Professional, Knowledgeable, Fair and Consistent in enforcing NASA Rules and to be Professionally Attired on the platform(see below). While NASA is deeply appreciative of all the Referees, who generously volunteer your time and energy to help keep NASA at the top of the Real PowerLifting World, with the enforcement of Real Rules, there are certain areas that we need to review in order to maintain NASA's high standards and expectations for National Referees. Attend Referee Meetings, speak up with any questions or concerns, and be prepared to judge any or all lifts and flights requested.

Know the Rules: Read the Rulebook in its entirety, at least once a year. Go over the updated National Referee Test, which is online. Make sure that you know all the bodyweight classes, including the decimal numbers. Know the Rules of Performance/Reasons for Disqualification of a Lift, legal apparel, etc, with Authoritative Confidence. When a Lifter questions a red light, you should be able to state the infraction in a simple declarative sentence. Never say: "I think, I thought, or in my opinion..." Remember, it is a Privilege to be a NASA National Referee, make sure you Know the Rules.

Be Professional: As a Referee or Lifter Do Not Comment or share your opinion on another Referee's calls (Except Discretely to the Competition’s Chief Referee, or, the National Ref Chair). NO Lifters, Referees, or Audience should ever hear a NASA Ref “bad mouthing” another Ref(s) or disagreeing publicly with a particular call ! Everyone is human and can make mistakes, which is why we have 3 judges. In general, the Chief Referee or National Ref Chairman, don’t want, nor need, to hear about what you think to be a couple bad calls in a round. On the other hand, if for example, given the rare occasion, that a squat judge is white lighting high squats consistently numerous times throughout 1 or 2 rounds, you may, very discreetly, share this information with the Chief Referee. At which point, the Chief Referee, may choose whether or not to sit beside that judge and give some guidance, or take further action.

Never Allow Your Judgment to be compromised by The “Amount” of "Weight" Being Lifted Or “Who” the "Lifter" is. Here Are 2 Examples of the Pounds Lifted, the Lifter(2 of NASA’s Top All Time Athletes), and Judges' Perspective: 1) At a Bwt - 110, Heena Patel AR Benched 253 Lb, with huge audience applause + accolades from Rich Peters and Mary Hetzel at the scorer's table. From the non-judges perspective, the lift was good. Larry Dennis and I saw a "hair" dip on the right = 2 red lights. 2) Tyson Meyers AR Squatted 720 Lb+, with huge audience applause + accolades from competitors. 2 of the Refs saw it as slighty high = 2 red lights. Heena + Tyson both accepted the “close calls” with the Great Sportsmanship and Attitude we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from these Incredible Lifters.”

As to competitors, coaches, fans, complaining about a call verbally or with video camera, your response should be the same: "Unless one is sitting in the referee's chair, one is unable to see things exactly as the judge does.” Also, in many of these cases, the lift was turned down by all 3 referees.

Professional Referee Attire: (Rich will be taking care of proper attire for the Spotter/Loaders) Referees are expected to wear gray or navy blue dress pants, skirts, or shorts, with a White Shirt and requiredtie, or White Blouse, or NASA National Referee Polo or "T" Shirt. Blue Sport Coat (when not wearing a Ref Shirt) is preferred (but optional) for both men + women. Clean looking athletic shoes or dress shoes are expected to be worn. Men, if you are wearing a white shirt, a required red or blue tie will make you look all the more professional. Please do not wear worn-out NASA Referee Apparel, including white T-shirts/white polo shirts that have yellowed or discolored. New looking, non-cutoff blue jeans are acceptable but not preferred. Cutoff, Holes in the Knees, Faded Jeans, AND Tank/Spaghetti Strap Tops/Shirts, ARE NOT Acceptable ATTIRE.